World's smallest rocket launches with the ability to put micro-satellite into orbit

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched on 3 February the world's smallest rocket with the ability to put a micro-satellite into orbit, following a failed attempt and several postponements over the last year.

The launch of the low-cost rocket - with a height of 10 metres and 53 centimetres in diameter - took place from the Uchinoura Space Centre in Kagoshima prefecture and was aired live on YouTube, Efe news reported.

The rocket, an improved version of JAXA's SS-520, was carrying a micro-satellite weighing three kilograms and was developed by the University of Tokyo to capture images of the Earth's surface.